Marcus Aurelius was emperor of Rome during the 2nd century AD. He was born into an established Roman family, but not the royal lineage. We know him today as an Emperor and a Stoic philosopher.
During his teenage years, the reigning emperor Hadrian was nearing his death and was childless. Thus, he had to pick a successor soon. He chose Lucius Ceionius, who unexpectedly died before Hadrian. He then chose a senator, Antoninus Pius. Pius was also childless and adopted both Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius.
When Hadrian died, Antoninus assumed command. Marcus and Lucius’s education was of deep concern for him as they were next in line. When Antoninus died in 161 AD, Marcus and Lucius assumed the roles of co-emperors. Lucius died early, leaving Marcus the sole emperor of Rome. He ruled for nearly two decades until his death in 180 AD.
Marcus’s rule was not an easy period for the Roman empire. During his reign there were wars with the Parthian empire, the barbarian tribes, the rise of Christianity as well as the plague.
During his time, he was one of the most powerful persons on earth. If he chose, nothing would be off limits for him. Yet he proved himself to be worthy of the power he held. During his reign, the empire was guided by virtue and wisdom.
Marcus wrote a series of reflections, which we now call as Meditations. It was a personal and philosophical diary written in Greek and was probably never meant to be published, yet it remains in print even today. It was his way of nurturing his thoughts and capturing them to go through his day and live a fulfilling life. The work has guided many men, both powerful and common men and women for thousands of years.
After reading Meditations, we feel inspired to become a better person. Marcus continuously reminds himself to remain calm in the face of adversity, to treat all fates equally, and to detach our emotions from the problems of the world.
We know this philosophy as Stoicism. It was practiced not just by Marcus, but also Epictetus, Seneca, and many more.
Marcus Aurelius Quotes
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Our life is what our thoughts make it.
Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing bought to sight than it is swept by and another takes place, and this too will be swept away.
Death, like birth, is a secret of Nature